What’s it all about?
This is surprisingly difficult to say. Inspired by an Irish tragedy that saw four women from the same family starve themselves to death after destroying all traces of their existence they could, Lippy is as much about the idea of creative discovery and truth as it is about their lives and death.
All that was known about the women, we are told, was built by lip-reading CCTV footage. But, as the show’s performers also tell us at the beginning of the post-show Q&A that starts the show – yes, that’s right – lip-reading is flawed. This can’t be the family’s story; it’s just a story about them.
Even the story, with the theatremakers’ resolute determination not, for the most part, to put words in their mouths, is ambiguous. What actually happens? I’m not sure. They definitely die. Apart from that…
But despite all of this, Lippy is a remarkable 75 minutes of theatre. Clever, witty, engaging, beautiful, horrifying, chilling, it flips from theatrical idea to theatrical idea in a way that constantly keeps you questioning what you’re watching while never wanting to blink in case you miss a trick.
Who’s in it?
Creator and director Bush Moukarzel gives a hilarious cameo performance as the host of the pre-show post-show Q&A – still with me? – full of self-congratulation and pretence, but this is an ensemble show in which the entire cast – Joanna Banks, David Heap, Caitríona Ní Mhurchú, Liv O’Donoghue, Eileen Walsh and Adam Welsh – contribute much in too many ways to mention.
What should I look out for?
The exquisitely nightmarish introduction to the women that initially paints them as the most haunting of Doctor Who monsters or fairy tale fiends.
The distinctly Beckettian climax, which is pretty much the only time words are put in their mouths, to striking effect.
The Mitt Romney voice over – an explanation of just how wrong lip-reading could be – that I dare you not to laugh out loud at.
In a nutshell?
Lippy is a wonder of theatricality, invention and design; beautiful, bonkers, emotionally-draining and, at points, fabulously funny.
What’s being said on Twitter?
@katefin Unnerving #lippy @youngvictheatre interprets the tragic story of a family of women who died by self-imposed starvation in a surreal style.
@MrNateNorth Just watched the most disturbing yet fantastic piece of theatre at @youngvictheatre #Lippy amazing
Will I like it?
Honestly, I can’t tell you that. You need to experience it though.
If you like a story told from beginning to end with characters you recognise and understand throughout, this might not be up your narrative street.
If you fancy taking a chance on a production that itself takes chances on a variety of theatrical forms and ideas, that refuses convention but never to the extent that it excludes the audience, that is striking, shocking, challenging and intriguing, please give it a go.
Lippy plays at the Young Vic until 14 March. You can book tickets through the theatre’s website.